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“Magna Carta, Music and Freedom”

The Barnes Magna Carta Festivals marked the 800th anniversary of the visit of Archbishop Stephen Langton to Barnes on his return from the Magna Carta sealing at Runnymede to consecrate St Mary’s Church Barnes.

The Barnes Music Festival from 14 to 29 March 2015 had the theme “Magna Carta, Music and Freedom” with 20 events at locations across Barnes. It brought together local musicians with internationally-recognised artists and included orchestral, instrumental, choral and jazz music. There were both medieval music and a wide variety of genres which interpreted the legacy of Magna Carta on musical freedom and artistic expression. Highlights included an opening Let the People Sing choral workshop and concert; Music at the Court of Bad King John with medieval specialists Misericordia; Purcell King Arthur with narration by Gyles Brandreth, Patricia Hodge and Alistair McGowan; Bach St John Passion with Martin Neary, James Bowman and Robert Murray; Orff Carmina Burana; an innovative Photography & Music exhibition; and a final Choral Evensong with Revd Robert Griffith-Jones.

The St Mary’s Barnes Magna Carta Festival from 19 to 24 May 2015 featured spectacular flower displays, embroidery exhibitions, a history display, lectures and a workshop. Highlights included flower representations of Magna Carta figures and coats of arms; Magna Carta embroidery panels and new embroidery commissioned from prison charity Fine Cell Work; 1000 years of Barnes History exhibition; “Magna Carta – why it matters today” lecture by Prof Nigel Saul; “The Artist and the King” lecture by Graham Seel; and family workshop The Magna Carta Chronicles with Christopher Lloyd.

Featured Article

Sir Robert Worcester

Chairman, Magna Carta Committee

Today is the very anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, that great charter which laid down the basis for English common law, now spread throughout the world. Magna Carta gave protection of law against despotism by...